Basil’s First Anniversary

One year ago today, Basil was delivered into my awed arms under the aegis of NYCeWheels. This is the first picture I ever took of him:

I was thrilled and terrified in equal measures: Basil was beautiful and beautifully-engineered. Would I ever be worthy of such a marvelously-designed creature?

I’d spent the months waiting for his arrival by feathering his nest; that’s a custom flap on his S bag, one of many bags or luggage modifications I’ d made as I waited for his arrival, and after.

Below is the second photo, taken once I realized that a face-forward picture was all well and good, but didn’t really feature Basil’s Brompton-ness at all adequately. Lost in admiration — how was it that he was even more marvelous in actuality than in imagination? — I still hadn’t ridden him.

We didn’t know each other yet — all of that was still ahead of us. These photos still evoke the those first, tentative moments, as we began to take each other’s measure.

This first year didn’t end as I expected it would. Between October 4, 2012 and late June, 2013, Basil and I logged well over 1100 miles/770 km in what turned out to be just about eight months of cycling. (Not too bad tally for a brand-new Brompton, and a human who hadn’t ridden on two wheels in decades! But still . . . )

Then I had a small surgery on my leg which turned into a nearly three-month-long medical debacle, followed by a dreadfully long ban on cycling. Basil and I won’t ride together again until next spring — a fact that gives me considerable pain when I allow myself to consider it.

Here he is today, one year later; it was wonderful taking Basil out today for his anniversary portrait. Pumping his tires felt so right — just as if I’d done it only last week. Every time I see him, I still pause in wonder, just as I did on that first day.

I don’t still don’t know the answer to question: Am I worthy? But Basil and I have had a wonderful history together, and we have a fine future ahead of us. Early next spring, we’ll get about the business of finishing that first year. I can’t wait.